Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was slammed on Twitter after she and her wife, Amy Eshleman, posted a video wishing a 'joyous Kwanzaa' to all who celebrate.
The backlash comes as Lightfoot is accused of ignoring the city's surge in violent crimes, including a 25-year high murder rate, with 767 homicides in the city so far this year.
Last week, she begged Attorney General Merrick Garland to send ATF agents to the city for six months to help get illegal guns off the street after she slashed the police budget by $80 million in 2020. Lightfoot later scaled back the slashing of the budget and cut 3.3% - or $59 million.
Twitter users were quick slam Lightfoot, saying the the principles of Kwanzaa - a holiday founded in 1966 by black nationalist Dr Maulana Karenga, who spent four years in prison for torture - are not reflected in Chicago society.
'How many people were shot this weekend,' questioned @anthony_leach_. Another said: 'There's been seven carjackings since you tweeted this.'
In her video message shared online, Lightfoot said: 'Joyous Kwanzaa, Chicago!' The seven principles of Kwanzaa guide us to unity and cooperation as we work to uplift and protect our neighbors.'
'As you light the candles and gather in unity, we hope your holiday is filled with rejoicing and happiness,' Eshleman echoed.
The pair, who also used the holiday video as an opportunity to promote COVID-19 vaccinations, were criticized by Twitter users who cited the crime wave ravaging Chicago and Lightfoot's alleged failures as leader.
'Is this a Saturday Night Live skit?' questioned @ParkerRinger.
'One can only hope they include NOT stealing, obeying the law, not committing murder, produce your own income, feed and house your own kids, contribute to society and don't be bitter and angry,' @Jasonwarnick4 wrote. 'Have your people follow those rules and your City won't be in a permanent state of chaos.'
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was slammed on Twitter after she and her wife, Amy Eshleman, posted a video wishing a 'joyous Kwanzaa to all who celebrate'
Others criticized Lightfoot for promoting a holiday which was founded in 1966 by black nationalist Dr. Maulana Karenga, who was later convicted of torture and served four years in prison.
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture held from December 26 to January 1. The holiday celebrates seven principles of African culture which Karenga believed contributed to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans. It also incorporates seven symbols which are meant to represent values and concepts reflective of African culture.
Lightfoot and Eshleman shared their holiday video on Twitter Sunday afternoon, on the first day of Kwanzaa.
'Amy and I wish to extend a very beautiful and prosperous Kwanzaa to all of you celebrating this season,' Lightfoot said.
She said the holiday's seven principles - self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith - serve as a reminder for how Chicagoans should treat each other and their community.
'As you prepare for your Kwanzaa celebrations, I urge you to keep these values in mind,' the mayor stated.
'May the light of peace bring happiness to your home as we wish you the warmth and togetherness of Kwanzaa.'
'We wish you a wonderful seven nights celebration, and hope they are filled with renewal and joy,' Eshleman added.
Despite their heartfelt attempt at promoting peace and unity, the couple was blasted online.
Despite their heartfelt attempt at promoting peace and unity, the couple was blasted online
'Thank you fellas for the message, but imma have to decline all the BS,' @HoeBiden46 responded.
'I'll take things that don't actually exist for $1000, Alex,' said @celticmagick333.
As of December 21, 2021, overall crime in the city has gone up from 45,986 cases in 2020 to 44,863 cases
Some users pointed out the city's crime wave in an effort to demonstrate how the principles of Kwanzaa are not reflected in society
Others criticized the alleged lack of policing in Chicago and suggested the crime wave is, in part, the result of Lightfoot's leadership
Some Twitter users criticized the couple for even promoting the holiday at all, arguing that Karenga is not a person who should be celebrated
@FlyByKnight17 criticized the alleged lack of policing in Chicago and suggested the crime wave is, in part, the result of Lightfoot's leadership.
'The principles of policing and Justice are as important as ever and should be and should be a guide for all of us,' they wrote.
'No one is happy or safe in Chicago!'
The sentiment was echoed by @jayce189 who added: 'Pay your employees.
'Charges should be filed with EEOC and Illinois department of labor against the city for not having enough money to cash employees paychecks.'
Additionally, some Twitter users criticized the couple for even promoting the holiday at all, arguing that Karenga is not a person who should be celebrated.
'Kwanzaa's creator was convicted in 1971 of torturing two women,' tweeted @CroMagnonNews.
'According to the LA Times, he made them strip, burned them with a soldering iron, beat them with night stick, & put detergent and running hoses in their mouths. Which of the 7 principles was he following?'
'My college professor at Cal State invented Kwanzaa before going to jail for beating two women with toasters,' @howmanyjokesun1 said.
Karenga, a professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, created Kwanzaa in 1966, History.com reported.
The holiday is celebrated uniquely by each family but often includes song, dance, drumming, storytelling, poetry reading and a large, traditional meal. The feast, called Karamu, is held on Dec. 31.
Meanwhile, in addition to wishing a happy Kwanzaa to the Chicagoans that celebrate, Lightfoot also used her video as a tool to push for vaccinations and to encourage the following CDC guidelines in effort to maintain 'COVID-19 safe celebrations'.
'The COVID-19 vaccines are by far the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the virus,' said Lightfoot.
'Anyone who isn't vaccinated should get one as soon as possible to be protected for the holidays. And that includes five to 11-year-olds who are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.'
Eshleman added: 'Fully vaccinated people can gather with others who have been fully vaccinated without restrictions. If you are not vaccinated we recommend that you don't attend any large gatherings.
'If you still plan to do so, we encourage to get a COVID test before attending while also masking and social distancing when possible.'
They also reminded all Chicagoans, including those who are vaccinated, not to attend any celebrations if they are experience COVID or flu-like symptoms.
The holiday celebration reminder comes as the Windy City sees a surge in crime, prompting stronger response from police.
As of December 21, 2021, overall crime in the city has gone up from 45,986 cases in 2020 to 44,863 cases.
Thefts are up by a whopping 20 percent in Chicago, with police recording 12,523 cases.
The city is also seeing a rise in violent crimes, noting there have been 783 murders, a 5 percent rise from the 749 at the same time last year.
Criminal sexual assaults also rose from 2,027 last year to 1,575, a 29 percent increase.
Robbery was the only violent crime to remain steady this year, with only 5 less total incidents reported than last year. To date, the city has had 7,633 cases.
Shooting incidents have also increased this year, with the Chicago Police Department reporting 3,467 so far in 2021, a 9 percent increase from last year.
Lightfoot has routinely come under fire for the way she has dealt with crime after she publicly backed the 'defund the police' movement and proposed slashing $59million from the CPD budget, or 3.3 percent, and 600 vacant positions from the department, amid Black Lives Matter protests throughout the summer of 2020.
Chicago District Attorney Kim Foxx is also facing scrutiny after it was revealed she made an effort to help embattled actor Jussie Smollett get away with staging his own assault. Officials say Foxx liaised with the Empire star's relatives and tried to persuade the FBI to assume the investigation days after the attack.
In addition to wishing a happy Kwanzaa to the Chicagoans that celebrate, Lightfoot (right) also used her video as a tool to push for vaccinations and to encourage the following CDC guidelines in effort to maintain 'COVID-19 safe celebrations'
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